271359 Satisfaction with mail-order pharmacy services among aged underserved African Americans

Monday, October 29, 2012

Mohsen Bazargan, PhD, Professor , College of Medicine, Charles R. Drew Uinversity of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA
Hamed Yazdanshenas, MD , College of Medicine, Charles R. Drew University of medicine and Science, Los Angels, CA
Kira Watson , Master of Public Health Program, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA
Denny Wisner , Master of Public Health Program, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Scienec, Los Angels, CA
James Smith, MD , College of Medicine, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA
Gail Orum-Alexander, PharmD , College of Science and Health, Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA
Purpose: This study examines the level of satisfaction with pharmacy services among a community-based sample of underserved aged African Americans to compare the level of satisfaction between mail-order pharmacy and traditional pharmacy patrons. In addition, this study investigates adherence, duplication, use of expired medication, or misuse of any Rx or OTC medication. Methods: This study recruited 400 elderly African Americans from 16 churches located in South Los Angeles. We conducted a comprehensive data collection of participant's medication use. Using the Satisfaction with Pharmacy Services Questionnaire the level of satisfaction with pharmacy services between mail-order pharmacy and traditional pharmacy users was examined. Results: Fifty percent of the participants take 8 or more medications. Only 15% of participants were using mail-order pharmacy services. Almost 75% of participants illustrated various challenges associated with medication use (poor adherence, duplicate medication, expired medications, mislabeled medications, or poor general knowledge). Ten percent of participants' Rx containers were mislabeled. Nine percent of participants used expired medication. Mail-order pharmacy patrons were more satisfied than traditional pharmacy patrons with their pharmacy services. Conclusion: This study documented a higher level of satisfaction with mail-order pharmacy services among underserved elderly African Americans. Regardless of level of satisfaction with pharmacy services, this study demonstrates that there is urgent need for an interventional study to promote adherence to prescribed Rx regimens, to increase awareness of use and misuse of Rx and OTC medications, and to promote communication with primary care providers regarding use of Rx and OTC medications among aged underserved African Americans.

Learning Areas:
Chronic disease management and prevention
Communication and informatics
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Provision of health care to the public
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
1. Examines the level of satisfaction with pharmacy services among a community-based sample of underserved aged African Americans to compare the level of satisfaction between mail-order pharmacy and traditional pharmacy patrons. 2. Investigates the adherence to drug regimens and misuse of Rx and OTC medications among underserved aged African Americans.

Keywords: Adherence, Aging

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to be an abstract author on the content I am responsible for because I am the Principal Investigator of this project by CMS
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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